Össur is stepping up support for osteoarthritis (OA) sufferers by partnering with the Osteoarthritis Action Alliance (OAAA) as a gold sponsor.

Osteoarthritis is the most commonly diagnosed form of arthritis, affecting an estimated one in seven American adults. A pervasive, progressive medical condition, OA is one of the leading causes of pain and long-term disability, taking a debilitating toll on an estimated 595 million patients worldwide; cases are projected to increase 75% by the year 2050.¹

Össur has been engaged in OA care for decades; its Unloader One Knee Brace is considered the “gold standard” for the noninvasive care of knee OA patients and validated by more than 20 clinical and biomechanical studies demonstrating its efficacy.

“For over 50 years, Össur has been dedicated to improving people’s mobility with innovative solutions that help address the orthopedic injuries and medical conditions that significantly impact patients’ quality of life,” said Christian Robinson, Össur’s president of the Americas and Global Bracing. “As the exclusive bracing sponsor of OAAA, we are now working together to ensure that even more people with OA have the access, skills and capacity to benefit from effective, proven interventions.”

Össur’s partnership with OAAA includes providing a comprehensive set of OACareTools to help healthcare professionals support OA patients, including the latest clinical guidelines, functional assessments, and exercise recommendations. Össur also is offering OAAA’s suite of patient education resources and a proprietary self-directed wellness program that will be made available free to all Össur Unloader users.

“We are pleased to be working with OAAA, which shares our commitment to helping patients’ mobility through its vision of creating a world where adults are not limited by OA,” Robinson stated. “Together, we will be able to help even more people with OA live a life without limitations.”

The Osteoarthritis Action Alliance is a national public health coalition—comprised of more than 150 member organizations—that aims to reduce the OA burden in the United States by disseminating educational tools, resources, and health messaging to increase awareness of the disease and promote evidence-based prevention and management strategies. Injury prevention (e.g., sports injury prevention, falls prevention, etc.), weight management, physical activity, and self-management education are proven strategies for preventing and managing OA and are major focus areas for the OAAA.

Now part of Embla Medical, Össur provides prosthetics and bracing/supports that help people live a Life Without Limitations. The company helps improve mobility by delivering solutions that advance patient care. Significant investment in research and development has led to more than 2,100 patents and numerous award-winning designs that advance the orthotic and prosthetic industry.

Reference
¹ https://www.ajmc.com/view/new-projections-for-the-global-burden-of-osteoarthritis-through-2050